My kid thought CASL was a great experience. Great fields and competition. Lots of exposure. All good. Maryland United I think was the surprise R1 team of the tournament beating Tophat and PDA. Wow congrats and no my kid does not play for this team. She plays for another R1 ECNL team.

PA Classics event HMMS, Vincent United and LVU on top. Pa Classics a close second in a balanced bracket. How will they do with the GDA? some Harrisburg kids coming down from HMMS and LDC? I know its only a year or two, but will they be competitive? Seems like they have a long way to go to get on Penn Fusion's level or most of the other competing teams in their region.

With GDA, PAC will be in a position to intercept the flow of talent from LDC and HMMS that might otherwise go to PF. PF currently has several players across the age brackets that started with, or made stops at LDC and HMMS.

Will PAC have the same quality coaching, facilities and connections as Penn Fusion? The extra 30 minutes from Harrisburg to west Chester might be worth it at least until PAC gets more established. Will be interesting to watch these two teams this year to see who might be better positioned at tryouts. PAC better start looking for quality coaches. Or will Henning coach all of the girls teams? heard a mixed bag on that guy. The other possibility for Harrisburg players will be Washington Spirit. About the same time to the soccer plex as it is to west chester and if that product is determined to be the best then I would suggest there may be some movement southward.

PF is very good. CASL was first time the newly blended team played together. Happened to see them play at CASL. Knowing some of the kids, saw that coaches were changing up things to see other positions kids could play since it wasn't league play. Saw other Region 1 ECNL teams play as well. Good soccer. It should be a very exciting year.

Very interesting about the hypothetical re Spirit GDA and try-outs from those who may otherwise go to PF or PAC. I found it equally interesting that Spirit was holding it's id sessions now; although many of the clubs around it have been in season for several months already.

If any attendees can provide some info re it, that would be great as to what to expect when the other GDA's start their process.

Penn Fusion '00 team is really good. I, with several of the parents and players from our not too distant R1 ECNL team, saw the first half of the CASL game. It was pretty even though I would give the run of play to CASL. PF went down on a goal from a weird back line miscommunication. They looked pretty good. Some of the people stayed the whole game. They said the Penn Fusion team dominated the second half. One of the goals they said was an unnecessary PK. One of their players missed a PK, but then came back to score the best goal of the game.

What I saw suggests that the Penn Fusion product may be hard to beat. However, if the Spirit can combine NWSL training and exposure for top players in the older age groups, then I think they may have the advantage over Penn Fusion. PAC could be a major factor if they can get some strong marketing and similar play days with a well known and reputable coaching staff. They might even be able to pull players from the south with a great program.

The 2000 PF and Continental ECNL teams are far and away better than the rest of the teams in EPA. The 2000 McLean and Bethesda ECNL teams are better than both PF and Continental. So you really think your kids are going to travel to DC and make a DA team? Save the gas money and time on DA ID sessions in DC!

It will take PAC time to develop, but if they bring the right people in to run the GDA they can move beyond other PA DA clubs.

Yes I think for sure there are kids on some of the PA, DE and MD teams that might have considered or are traveling to PF or PAC that could make the MD spirit team. You are delusional if you think a team's standings lead to the conclusion that there are no elite players on the team. Do you think kids who are committed to mid to top level ACC and SEC programs, some of whom have been to national camps, won't be interesting to the Spirit? HMMS has a 6'1" GK who is really skilled and athletic. Really...she won't get a look for the 18/19 DA next year? By the way very unclear where Bethesda and Penn Fusion will settle out. I think McLean is a tick above, but the others time will tell. Penn Fusion hasn't played enough games yet. Bethesda has shown many cracks.

Is it a given that the PF DA will recruit from within? Rumors are that they will combine with Continental. PF will have Boys and Girls DA and Continental will have ECNL/NPL. Based on current talent in both clubs I would think any external players would have a hard time making the cut for DA. Also wondering how Westmont will shake out, possibly an Elite EDP club?

FC Bucks looks to be the declining club with big losses across the board at ECNL Level.

Also not sure what the DA benefit would be to any 00 players at this point. If they are not currently in the NT pool is it worth it to go to the DA?

How many '00 players in R1 are in the national pool? A total of maybe a dozen? Fifteen on the outside? That makes maybe one team. Maybe twice that many are bubble and aspire to a camp inclusion- so there's 2 DA teams. How many kids play at schools with very weak programs and don't enjoy the HS soccer experience? That's the number I have no handle on. My kid will play ECNL or equivalent her last year rather than give up the HS soccer she loves in her senior year.

Bucks is really bad at this age. Lost to Bethesda 2-0 at the Bethesda tournament and PF 5-0 on Saturday. (Would suggest a previous ranking is questionable). Best 00s are either playing 98 or went to PA strikers. Not much left. Sad really. Club imploding and should just give up the FC Bucks part and stay Council Rock united travel rec.

If the rumors are correct it will be tough to make the 99/00 DA team at Penn fusion, but my guess that the ECNL team might actually be the better team. No doubt they will be looking for players who are committed enough to soccer to play by the USSF's rules.

9:15 - saw some of the CASL game too. First half had some line up changes than the Concorde Fire game from the day before. Overheard one of the kids say that coached mixed it up to see where different kids could play gametime as it's a newly blended team. Makes sense. The Concorde Fire game, Friday, PF dominated. Didn't see Boston although they tied CASL.

While some may consider the Spirit, PF GDA should be very strong. I am sure PAC will be good as well. There are some very good USYS teams nearby that will feed into both of these, too, I suspect. And, kids from the neighboring ECNL's will come over as well. Will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

11:50Depending on the college the coach may also have some pull getting her on the DA team. 11:54R1 is not a strong pull, we don't have the direct college connections and Midwest, southwest and West Coast have most of the "Darlings"

Very few 99/00 players from Region 1 who are not already on the radar for NT camps will have about a 1% chance of seeing any National team interest unless they land at a UCLS/Duke/UNC/USC and get recognized there. Best hope for a non-camper is to play for a college that offers them a best shot at an education.

Midge P is at Harvard, a nat'l team pool player and on Mac Hermann watch. Certainly getting a great education and seems to have the interest of the correct soccer people as well despite not taking the normal soccer recognition path. I think if you are a good player, anything can happen.

R1 is not a strong pull, we don't have the direct college connections and Midwest, southwest and West Coast have most of the "Darlings"

sounds like an excuse. i have repeatedly read how the FC Stars coach favors his kids etc etc. we have plenty of connections, we just dont seem to work collectively on encouraging and developing it. We take very little pride in the kids that excel. In fact, we try and drag them down. The competition for players and wins in R1, leads to players and families being de-stabilized and encouraged to make moves that really dont seem to look at the kids future as opposed to how many games they can win for a team today. Its sad, but true.

The YNT have tiers. All Top tiers kids are watched carefully. I would expect a huge change up in YNT coaches with the new year. That database includes kids who are clearly better than those that performed so poorly in the WCs this past fall. Some kids will make the database top tier this year and potentially camps and would benefit from the DA. Watching in CASL there were clearly kids who were better than repeat camp kids on the field. If one were to ask those watching the game, including the college coaches, which kids were the YNT regulars on the field, they certainly would not have chosen correctly.

I agree wholeheartedly. I was shocked when I heard which players over the years from local teams were selected just at the regional level. There is also a coaches thinking when choosing. A coach may see someone who is a great player on the ball and can beat players 1v1 but the coach wants someone to play within a different system so good players get passed over in support of the system, I think the previous cycle is where we will see the last of track stars being forwards. With the retirement of Abby I hope we also see a transition away from target players to skilled at every position. World teams are staying tactical in their training while the US is still 95% power and 5% finesse.

Teams with notable highly skilled players in R1. PDA, Penn Fusion, Boston Breakers(NEFC), HBC, and Richmond United. Of interest most of the skillful players play either ACM or wide forward and sometimes both. Most of these teams have more than one such player and appear to select for them.

I hope you are right and the (hopefully) new regime will select soccer players and not track athletes. Some of the most skillful players are also excellent athletes being exceptionally agile and quick if not a track star at the 40m level. Pretty much choked when the USSF hype machine was citing all the YNT players' track accolades.

I think you must have been drinking when you wrote the above. How much PRODUCTION did the u17 and u20 team put forward? Your thinking is contrary to all the pundits and most of the soccer community. Poor PRODUCTION was on display especially in the midfield where we could not PRODUCE chances because we could not maintain possession because our technical ability was not developed enough to manage the reduced time and space allowed by the competition. You are obviously not a soccer sophisticate in that you equate "moves" with technical ability when technique is so much more. Have you read anything about the recent debacles? It's all over the net. All calling for a change and a focus toward selecting and developing more technical players. They are there but not being selected with enough regularity. Your name calling and writing "style" reveals a lot. It's not about talent it's about production. That's a good one. Talent results in production when it counts. Beating Paraguay by 5 or 6 goals is production but. It when it counts.

Teach the game beginning at u12 - they spend time training on individual skills of the more athletic stronger players (even some Daddy coaches). Winning is a goal but not a priority. Clubs that have this mentality start attracting players and pull the good players in. At this age the US needs to settle on a method of tactical, skills based training. Be consistent with a set group of players and keep them together. The U14 teams at PDA, PF, Continental should be the same team that finishes travel soccer at U18. Commit 4 years to the players, the families and in return the families need to commit as well. For the most part tryouts are a fundraising scheme. There needs to be more open communications, less rubbernecking by coaches to "find" the right players. For the most part the right players are already on their team, they just need to work a bit harder to train. I know that this methodolgy was what PA Strikers started with, and they even went off course looking to bring players in, why? you started with a 00 birth year set of girls at u14 most should still be on the team at u18 if the coaches did their job. (I am not nor have I ever been associated with PA Strikers) When I saw the concept I was impressed but looking at the team as it has transformed I can see why US soccer is in the situation it is. Coaches don't have time to train players, they only want to train wins. In my opinion, if you take time to be loyal to your players and train them they will reward you with wins. I also realize parents can be crazy and that definitely playes into some of the dysfunction of building a good team.

225 you have quoted all these R1 teams but please, show me all these skillful players you are referencing. I must have missed them.

228 always find it interesting how we try and compartmentalize players. There is nothing wrong with having track speed and knowing how to use it. Pace and power are great qualities to have,as are others.

548 it is all about production. so many folks want to talk about technical players. I can bet you that everyone of the kids selected for the u17 team would light up your team. I see so many kids who cannot produce the right play under pressure because they are used to being on the best teams, surrounded by the best players in a relatively weak ECNL or NPL conference. Technical vs cones means nothing. I would love to see all these great technical player who are not being selected. I would go the other way and say we selected many technical players who could not hold up physically when pressured by Ghana.

911 not sure what your point is. Did Penn Strikers produce a bunch of NT players? PDA brand is all about winning. they had a bunch of kids who were NT camp regulars at u14. Are they still being called in to camps? If not, why not? You contradict yourself many times. Is the goal a good team (which is defined by wining) or the production of good players( which may mean less wining and more experimentation in games) Kids change. forget ability, but the drive needed to commit to the sport is not there for most. You have to be realistic.

My family and I have been around this age group for a long time. In my opinion there are many good players, but i can count the ones with elite level quality/potential on the fingers of one hand. for me , this si why a national DA model is so hard. we currently dont have the players to support it.

9:33 AMI am frustrated with the model as it keeps getting recycled. I was using Penn Strikers Model as an example, not the team as a standard. My philosophy is that taking U14 as a cut-off age to train a set of players. Looking at the eventual u17 NT camps I can't say if the U14 PF girls are still there, and I think that is where the problem is. No consistency because the Travel teams feeding to the NT pool are rotating, cutting and adding players each year, I think if you look across the local ECNL teams, abd some of the premier teams the same pool of players float. To me this is caused by fickle coaches, fickle parents and a system that lacks focus. I believe if the DA Model is consistent (I also believe the girls DA should build and start only one team for each DA Club at U14 maybe 2 age groups so U15 as well). What they did in the US between the age change, introducing Girls DA and then opening ECNL to boys was bad planning. If you want a consistent DA for girls why have any team above u15?? Let the current U17 and up pools finish out as they are currently rostered. Implement new coaches across girls DA at u14/15 levels and keep those teams together. the 2017 tryout signs players through 2020. Certain rules and regulations will allow for girls to opt-out each year and the clubs will have performace provisions for the girls to maintain. In each of the following years the only reason a DA team would add a player is if one drops because of family circumstances or the performance provisions are not met (also injury circumstances). There would not be tryouts for 2018, only invites.

957 . Clubs develop players, not individual coaches. In the US we have this culture of attaching coaches to teams for long periods of time. Coaches use winning at youth level to build a rep and then monetize that over time with mostly uneducated parents. Kids should be exposed to many coaches and take things from all of them. No coach should "own" a team. Parent coaching should be looked at very closely. Im not for banning it, but it should be case by case. The only loyalty should be to the kids. a Club should have a goal to develop each and every player to their max potential. They dont. There are too many examples to list. Coaches hopping from club to club taking players with them. Who wins ? not the kids. The bar is so low here that they get away with it. The DoC of a club should rotate coaches frequently. Girls soccer has gotten to a comfort zone of being a middle class route to college sport. Excellence is not the goal. A college offer is. Very few kids are in search of excellence.

I agree with the concept of rotating coaches, or coaching by committee. Neither the Club or coach “Owns” the team, they are bound by contract to provide training and game support. The ultimate goal may be for players to land on college teams but they would also be on the NT radar. I also think the USWNT looking for equal pay status would help girls look past College as the final goal.

I am not going to name kids on this board, but indeed there are technical players out there in our region. The kid who scored the goal of the tournament in CASL is really fun to watch. PDA has a slew of truly technical kids most are smaller, but they are also fun to watch. Going to try and watch these teams in the future as I can. The US did not get out physicaled by Ghana. They were not generally pushed around without a call or beaten to the ball. The problem was they gave up the ball with poor first touch and/or panicked because the did not have enough technique to make space for themselves and boot balled it up the field to Ghana's feet. The few times they tried to pass to a teammate the pass was more often than not misdirected due to poor technique. These statements hold for both age groups. I suspect you didn't watch the games or you are incapable of understanding what was on display since the majority of pundits agree with the above assessment.

Ridiculous to say that there should not be turnover on ECNL teams from u14-u18. Kids develop at different rates. Some develop faster even in the same club and pass others along the way. Kids who were developed in the hinterlands and are the best players on their teams need the exposure and other more talented kids around them to realize their potential The bottom of the roster then has to be culled to make room. Its a pyramid.

APRIL HEINRICHS: Results aren’t the sole measurement stick. I view it in the two-year cycle and the processes leading up to the tournament.

The group play was really disappointing in a way and I really understand, as do most of us who have coached against an African nation and an Asian nation, how difficult it is.

We started off extremely well against Paraguay and started very well against Ghana, and then it just started slipping way.

In a meaningful game at a World Cup, I understand how these young players can lose track of the game plan. Japan is a world-class opponent at any age group, so I think we all look back and believe we missed going forward as a result of the Ghana game.

We’re obviously a very physical and psychologically strong nation. We can make games athletic and for nearly 20 years, that was our style of play: physical and psychological and very athletic.

We can do that against a lot of nations and we always want to be the most athletic team on the field and we always want to be psychologically strong.

But when you play an African nation, the game is more athletic than any you have ever played. If our default when things are tough is to be more physical, quicker or faster, to solve problems physically, that’s negated when you play an African nation. It’s negated for the first time in your career in a meaningful game. The stress of that game, Oh my gosh she’s faster than I am, she’s quicker -- and that doesn’t happen to American teams very often and when it does it’s in a World Cup.

We have those two qualities of being physical and psychologically strong, but for the last five to 10 years I’d say as a country we’re aspiring to be tactical and technical and we have layered that in. That’s clear in the players we’re selecting.

1157 the beauty of sports is that two people can watch and draw different conclusions. respectful people understand that and in fact enjoy the differences of opinion. Arrogant fools make comments like

I suspect you didn't watch the games or you are incapable of understanding what was on display since the majority of pundits agree with the above assessment.

Continue to take comfort in being on the side of the pundits. Are these the same pundits who said NOTHING about this team being overmatched going in to the event. The ones who said this was the most talented team we had ever had? The ones who said that no country could deal with our speed and ability? The ones who pointed to an unbeaten 2 year period as evidence that we were dominant? Or were these different pundits?

The USA should stop trying to replicate japan and take its strengths, add some other things to it and play its style. When College soccer is the pinnacle of the game for 99.9 pct of the kids, that is what they are going to aspire to. College soccer, given its nature is a physical game. More like the EPL than La Liga. AS such you are going to see more example of relatively direct play. Can it change a bit, sure, but there is not going to be a fast wholesale revolution. Rather a very gradual shift if at all. PDA - interesting example becasue at my kids age, they are the most tactically prepared team out there. They are no more technical than any team we face. Better prepared, sure. More time on team development than most. absolutely. But higher technically, not at all.

Arrogant? pot calling the kettle black there buddy. The pundits didn't extoll the virtues of these youth teams the USSF coaches and marketing machine did. It's your type of old school thinking- that the teams need to be more athletic -that is resulting in our increasing failures. While I see zero evidence to support your claim that the USA is currently trying to play like Japan, we definitely could use a lot more of their technique and touch to blend with our athleticism. One of the biggest kids on the U17, Howell, dad a pro football player, was one of our least successful against Ghana. If you think PDA is not a uniquely technical team then again I question your ability to evaluate the game. I agree their tactics are excellent also, but their technique allows them to successfully play their tactically advanced game.

No Ghana did not play technical soccer. We were neither athletic nor technical enough to compete. When faced with technically advanced side Ghana lost. The teams that were the most successful demonstrated excellent technique. Especially with boys u17, a very athletic side can come out the winner over a superior technical side. However at the national level technique wins games. The USA should be developing a game showing both American athleticism and "grit" but flowing with excellent technique. We fail on the latter. I think the majority of the issue is with selection.

933 you missed the point. My comments about track speed weren't to say speed is not important, It is specifically speed with the ball for midfielders. My point was that the USSF coaches were not focusing on the players' soccer ability instead citing track accolades to justify their inclusion.

114 - so someone who sees it different to you was no watching or has no idea? We are not talking about Ghana's ability to play. we are talking about the US and they were beaten by a more physical team. Lets leave japan out of it. They are at a level that the US is miles behind in terms of THEIR style. So what. The US are more than capable of playing a style that would cause Japan problems, but they did not. Not becasue they are nto technical. They are far mote technical than and PDA team you could mention. They were playing under the ultimate pressure and under that pressure they had no game plan. This was a crisis of coaching not a lack of technique. If I took any say 5 of those kids and put them on PDA you would be praising how technical they were. Its such an easy cop out to say selection and then hide behind the fact that you cant name names. Old school thinking . LOL. Far from it. Im realistic. The style of soccer played in Countries is a reflection of the culture. The Far east is an exception as they pretty much started from scratch and copied what they considered best in class. The USSF has admitted that they are trying to develop more 360 degree players like Japan. Many times. Of course they dont play like Japan , because they do not play that way week in week out., The players are a product of the environments that produce them. PDA are miles away from that technical level as is every Club in the USA. The hours required are just not put in here by enough kids for it to be the standard. You continue to question my ability to evaluate the game simply becasue I see it differently to you. Ill repeat. the PDA teams that my kids have grown up playing are no more technical than Penn Fusion, or Matchfit or FC Stars or anyone else. Uniquely technical is ,to me, a massive reach. Unique in what way? As a team they put in similar hours to a whole host of talented kids from around the area. They dont have the monopoly on technique. There are kids with good technique on that team and kids with not so good. Like every other team in the area.

What has Jaelin Howells size got to do with it? Physical is more than just size. You can be small and physical. Because she had a poor game vs Ghana , how does that mean her selection was poor or that she is not one of the best Cms in the age group?

I think i said tactically prepared. I dont think any teams in this area are particularly tactically advanced.

117 I agree with much of what you are saying. My only point is its going to take time. I dont think its a selection issue. I dont believe we have the players to consistently play that style yet. I would love to know who you want picked who is so technical that they are going to change the outcomes of these games. the same players and better coaching should have beaten Ghana easily. Kids were put in bad spots and isolated vs some great athletes and we did not have a plan B to keep the ball. we kept trying to play run and gun with Ashley Sanchez.

132 I think you are making too much of what are essentially puff bios. Track achievements were cited simply to fill out copy. The USSF coaches are absolutely focused on what they see as soccer ability. If they wanted real track stars they have many kids who fit that bill who were not selected.

137 Totally correct. And i can find many articles pre WC extolling the virtues of this team. Same for the U20s. Thats i why post event the pundits are all up in arms about change. because they believed the US was going to do a lot better, especially the U17s. They believed the US had some of the best players in the entire event. and were finally poised to win the event for the first time. It was not USSF propaganda , unless of course you beleive that the USSF wrote and distributed those articles on TDS , Soccerwire and all sorts of other web content.

I love Will Parchma's articles on top drawer. he was far from singing the praises of the national programs.If you read the pre world cup stuff its the coaches not the writers saying the team is the best ever:

He comments on our skill problem well before the wc debacle in this article which is one of my favorites.

Will Parchman has a very blinkered vision of what skill is. At least he writes that way. Juan Roman Riquelme was/is a fantastic #10. The physicality and work rate required to play the game now has rendered the flair based #10 almost obsolete in the mens game. A failure to acknowledge that athleticism is a vital part of the mix is naive. To base an article on one coach dismissing a player to illustrate a national point is also a bit dramatic.

To put it very simply, Soccer is a game of the ghetto. A simple game that in many countries around the world, provides a route out of poverty. A route to fame and fortune. The drive to be different, to win on the playground , the street, the beach etc drives players all over the world to create, to dream , to improvise and to get better.

Soccer in the USA is a a middle class sport. Especially on the girls side. What is failure? Daddy buying you a Audi instead of a BMW? Paying for college? Not making first team all conference ? There is no real drive behind the game. Its a bunch of mostly comfortable middle class people trying to one up each other thru their kids. In that environment, you are not going to get the creativity born of necessity. You get a bunch of admins and bureaucrats telling you what to do and how it should be. You get coaches beating all the creativity out of the game. You get very few risk takers.

You get basically what we have now.

I dont know what the solution is, but i can see what the results are. Mostly mediocrity. We can talk all day long about how we need to develop skill etc, but its a societal problem. A cultural one. Institutionalizing the game more is not going to solve it. When i read

“You develop world class finishers over time and with lots of hours spent with the ball, but this event is about providing inspiration and guidance from some excellent role models so that these young players can return to their club environments and work on their own to hone their skills,” said Heinrichs. “The rationale for this kind of event is to emphasize the process of developing world class attacking players at all levels of our girls’ national team programs.”

from USSF leadership, I realize just how lost we are and how far away from solving our issues. More camps and more structure is not going to solve it.

With the exception of the fallacy regarding a #10 player (I think the whole #=position/skill is bogus) You do have a point. If you apply your theory to american sports you have basketball and football, makes sense on the boys side but not much on the girls. Soccer is a middle/upper middle class sport for girls. We are at a club that has boys DA and Girls ecnl practices overlap, if the boys practice first the lot has a higher persentage of late model nissans, hondas and domestic SUV/Mini Vans. Girls practice you see more Audi's Beemers, and MB, throw in a few Range Rovers for good measure. Clubs/coaches notice this as well, $$$$ is what drives Girls soccer. Sure a few good players may come up through a less privlidged path but for the most part it is pay to play. And the girls are chasing Scholarship money or college prestige. Little Amy Audi can get into Lehigh but with soccer she may be able to get into Penn...

its not a fallacy. Its a real talking point and has been for the last 5 years. Many of these players have disappeared. pretty much every team used to have one. The increased fitness and physicality of the men game has really changed this position dramatically.

What I was saying is the number on a player's back or the role they play is bogus. #10 was usually worn by the best player (#9 was a preferred # as Well) Wearing #10 is not a position specific - holding midfield or whatever you think it is. Americans are trying to Americanize football to Run Throw Catch Ball (American Football) where certain #'s indicate certain positions. And even more so saying that #10 has that specific role pretty much exposes your strategy. Soccer is probably the best team sport (Hockey may be a close 1A) Each player based on your logic should be a #10 - strong holding skills, field vision, attacking and defending skills. Heck even the keeper needs to develop all of these skills as well. Saying a u15 girl wearing #10 is not a true 10 is bogus logic.

1018 ..was using #10 in the positional sense. Apologies for the misunderstanding. Not sure where you are going with it. My point is that the playmaker role that WP is bemoaning the lack of is now done by players with other qualities as well. Soccer has become a more pragmatic game. Far fewer teams can afford the luxury of an attacking player who cannot do other things

10:18 - Right on about the keeper skills. I am tired of the cheers for the American football style punt (i.e. high and long) that usually just ends up on the foot of an opposing player. A good keeper with the support of a good team needs to be able to see the entire field and skillfully pass the ball out (when in possession) either through a throw, bowl, or targeted kick; and be able to receive passes back and redirect the direction of play.

147 USA is not a soccer country. They cheer becasue most parents see soccer as a game of territory, not possession. Like American football. Its all good though. By this age, most kids understand what they have to do. As the OP, 1018 is well off the original intention of the post. #10 was not worn by the best player. It was usually worn as an homage to other #10s (pele) or role specific to the central attacking creator. he is re-inforcing the original point which is that that ROLE was perceived to be the most important and therefore the wearer was perceived as the "best" or most influential player. #10 absolutely IS a position , however very few team use it the way they used to. 442, 433, 451 dont really have a #10. 4231 does , but many teams have moved away from it. Positions do have specific primary roles, but as the game has evolved , they have become blurred. I have no idea how 1013 interprets my logic, becasue i expressed none. I simply said that the role is less predominant that it once was. I dont think i ever said anything about a 15 yr old being a #10 or not. I simply said the skill set that WP is wishing for now INCLUDES athleticism and that a College coach who plays a system that cannot carry a less athletic play maker has every right to not be wowed by that kid. Its not a problem, its the evolution of the game. We all see it differently and value different skills.

as far as teh GK position. Guardiola obviously values a keeper with outfield like skills on the ground. However, losing sight of the ability to stop shots is dangerous . Man City have looked a lot worse with Bravo than they did with Hart. Im sure Pep will get the system HE wants in place, but that does not mean he is right or that he will be successful. First and foremost, the GK job is to marshal the defense and stop shots. In the girls game, superior distribution would be a nice to have. Solo was not a great distributor at all.

A former defender chiming in here. I disagree with your assessment re Solo. I watched her at several games in several leagues, including WPSL and NWSL. Television coverage doesn't always pick up the throw outs, roll outs, etc. Television coverage or U-tube coverage doesn't always pick up a lot of things going on on the field.

GK distribution is for the most part horrible in the women's collegiate game -a nd this is likely where the next 2-3-5-10 Team USA keepers will come from

They punt too much in high school - AND - yes, even at the top (yes, ECNL) levels of youth play.

And - without top 20 college tilts see a high % of punts and dropkicks. Of course some of the better coaches at times will call for more GK short play but their hands are plenty full with teaching other skills and tactics.

you guys are acting like the College/ Womens game is littered with ball playing CBs and playmakers. They punt because, given the personnel it is often the right option. Same with HS and Club. You have to remember that there are many ways to play the game and not all of them are pleasing to the eye. Some are based in pragmatism.

Punting is to open the field back up the pressure or least it should be. There is a strategy behind it. But, I agree some rely on it too much and just give up possession by out kicking coverage and showing range instead of placement.

Some ? All!!!We only go to building out of the back when the opposition is weaker. Again this is not just one team it is all. The problem is we are not technical enough. I am very sorry to go back to that.

2:36- I like your post. In my opinion, the general on the field is the #6 and in my opinion the best player on the field as they need to quickly read the game and start the attack. I agree the #10 is the play maker to create dangerous opportunities for themselves or the #9. The #7 and #11 must keep the width. goals can come from anywhere and are always welcomed. The #9 gets paid to score.

One variation is:1 Goalkeeper2 Right full back (right side centre back)3 Left full back (left side centre back)4 Right half back (right side defensive midfield)5 Centre half back (centre defensive midfield)6 Left half back (left side defensive midfield)7 Outside right (right winger)8 Inside right (attacking midfield)9 Centre forward10 Inside left (attacking midfield)11 Outside left (left winger)

and a more common variation is:1 Goalkeeper2 Right full back4 Centre half back5 Centre half back3 Left full back6 Defensive Midfielder8 Central Midfielder10 Attacking Midfielder7 Right Winger9 Striker11 Left Winger

#6s get no love from the college coaches. They quietly get it done and the offers go to the flashy #10s. The colleges think they can turn 10s into 6s, but its a completely different skill set and mind set.

4:34 I agree 100% and the 10s are important to breakdown a defense,but they need the 6s to set them up going the right way, how many time do players pass back into pressure or miss an attacking opportunity by passing a negative ball to switch the field or to the goalie to just balst the ball up the field - drives me crazy? The 6s will never get love from the college coaches I agree

"My #6" is what has got her noticed by coaches.I'd say it depends on how team plays. Possession out of the back using #6 to distribute will get her noticed.Barcelona analogy...Busquets get noticed? Probably best player in that position, all-time...

7:56 great point depends on the style of play. If they style is a fit they can get noticed very quickly or get their name crossed off just as quick.

My point is it'snot a sexy pick and most people will never pick the #6 as the most important player on the field they will always go with goal scorers or attacking players. Of course they get noticed to build on your analogy when talking Barca he's not the one that gets brought up, is he? He's probably the 7th player named if even named at all if you ask some one to place a value on players. Of course Messi, Neymar, Suarez, Rakitic, Iniesta, Vidal wil lbe named ahead does he come next? But yet he's the one starts the attack most of the time

Busquets is often referred to as the most underrated player of professional soccer. So actually he supports the OP positions on the 6.

My 6 has gotten noticed, but not the same level as the attacking players. It seems only some coaches appreciate the battered and bloody ball winning and quick distributing 6. Her coach moves her to ACM in recent showcases for half the game so that she can show her ball skills more flamboyantly. That has helped. maybe she can mix it up a bit to show her range if she's going to one of the Christmas week events.

"The holding midfield role is one of football's most important positions, legends like Claude Makelele made their name there but even he was underrated at the time. In recent years, the position has had a renaissance thanks to players like Nemanja Matic, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Xabi Alonso. This has led to Makelele getting the acclaim he deserves, and hopefully it'll mean Busquets stops being so underrated. His six goals for Barcelona and his two for Spain show that he's never going to be the most headline grabbing player, but it's his 214 league games for Barcelona and his 77 Spanish caps that really show just how important he is to those teams. And he's still only 27. "

Good posts everyoneTruthfully, our society and sports are all results-driven so yes the attacking players get noticed firstHow did they get the ball to their feet though? Tough but good lesson for my 2 daughters, one a holding mid and the other a center back...

There are some great 6s in our region. I won't name them, but I know some are underrated and can struggle for recognition and offers. They are also at risk for injury of they are the destroyer types or really good in the air at winning punts, gks and clearances. If i could pick a positio for my kid then i would not pick the "6" too little return for the risk.

The reality is that the qualities to be a good #6 are not rare. In girls soccer, a bit rarer, because toughness and bravery are not necessarily in the DNA. All this talk about distribution is overrated in the context of what si effective in the women's game. Busquets, kante , makelele etc are necessities in the mens game due to the way its played. Not in the womens. As far as the #10, i really dont see many playing in the ECNL. Most teams do not use them. its not a common role in soccer anymore.

as far a Morgan goes, OL dont need her, I dont think she fills a need and I think there is a risk she creates a problem in the locker room. Paying a player out of line with others who are better is not smart.

There are also some great 10s in our region. Creative and technical. "fun to watch". Solving problems on the field with the unexpected to create scoring opportunities for themselves and others. Some will be playing your kid 1:14 in a few months. It will be fun to see your reaction to these games. Saw some nice creative work in CASL and Bethesda by some NE, SE and MAC teams. Seems the soccer IQ may be on the rise.

144 Ill add that i cant actually remember many teams even using a #10. Instead of names, can you tell me any Clubs/teams that consistently deploy a kid in a #10 role? i see 442 433 451 some times 352 but rarer.

1:14 - had to laugh. "In girls soccer....toughness and bravery are not necessarily in the DNA." Not what I have seen.

An easy recall is in the WC when the German player after colliding with M Brian had her bloodied head wound stapled and returned to play. Sometimes the girls are tougher than the guys; less flopping. Also, plenty of defenders and net minders may disagree with your overall assessment, too.

Dude don't get negative you have some good ideas to share. no need to insinuate there are no creative midfielders out there- there are. I think I know who you are and your kid is an amazing forward. There are also good midfielder playmakers. If I am right about your identity, your kid's well known and connected coach is well aware of a few of these.

In fact PDA plays with a 10. FCV plays with a 10 Penn Fusion plays with a 10. Bethesda Plays with a 10. CASL plays with a 10. just off the top of my head. usually a 4231. but sometimes a 433 with a box to box 8 a 6 and a playmaker 10

You asked I answered. You obviously don't agree, but it is what it is. Maybe some can chime in on what they have seen recently.

323 . Saying I dont see them is not negative. Is simply an observation. I dont think I have see any of those teams play outside of PDA. so the explanation may be that. Either way, I dont see any negativity.

Despite having kids that have been in ECNL for years, but not having the opportunity of seeing the handful of teams you mentioned (which do have creative middies) makes a statement that ..."I must have missed them. Have had 3 kids in the ECNL for many years so its not like I just started looking."

Limited knowledge but thinks otherwise. Hmmmmm. Look for the person with their head in the sand.

NEFC/ breakers have a very skillful 10. I don't think she's committed yet. They also have an outstanding 8. FC stars midfielders are not creative. They play in the uswnt ynt style and it isn't a coincidence.

I didn't say any player wasn't "good" I said in my opinion the team is not playing in a creative style with a "10". By the way that player is a "6" for the ynt. Not a 10 which was the question. The ynt style of play was referenced not a specific player. That style is dictated by the coach who is a ynt assistant. A little sensitive. I was answering a direct question regarding the playing style and use of a creative 10 of a specific team which my kids team has played. I answered it with my opinion.

The ynt style is dictated through the ussf leadership from Ellis to heinrichs to the individual age group coaches. The u17 and u20 ECNL teams were just featured this fall. I saw nearly all of the games. The Usa teams both played the same tactic. Get the ball to the superstar forwards and hope they can score more goals than the other team. Use the midfield to win balls and play directly to said superstars. The comments regarding the ynt style was in direct response to the question regarding which team play through a playmaking and creative 10. No playmaking 10 is used by the ynt. Unfortunately the hype machine was on full blast with the 17s. They were shocked that they weren't technical enough to manage the limited time and space offered to them by Ghana. They melted when they realized they were in trouble. Against Japan they were dropping into bunker counter when again they couldn't deal with the limited time and space the organized Japanese gave them. The 20s knew they were in trouble after being blown out by the Japanese earlier in the year after trying to play openly with them. They immediately went into bunker counter against France and earned the tie. That was good tactics by French given what she had but I don't think she should have chosen those players who couldn't compete internationally. Similar tactics against Japan in the bronze medal game. Outplayed by the Mexican (American B) team along the way. Still waiting for the heads to roll. Heard there was unhappiness relayed by ussf leaders to the GDA DOCs at the recent Chicago meeting.

936 I did not ask about the u17 or U20s. Im also interested to know why you think the style is uniform, becasue I dont think it is. We are back to this selection thing.

Who is responsible for producing the players and who has the most "influence" over who is recommended for NT inclusion? The Clubs are. So IF we are to believe that all these creative players are out there at Clubs, why are they not being recommended by Club coaches, selected, going to camps and lighting it up forcing their inclusion in teams? The ECNL was quick to claim credit for all these teams full of their players, so who takes ownership for the style they play? I just dont see where all these players who are so clearly better than what was selected are and how they would have made such a big difference to the outcomes. I am very open to anyone who want sto tell me otherwise, but the issues start with our Club structures and goals. They are not going to be solved easily. You have the USSF proposing changes and you see the reaction form the ECNL. I dont know who is right, but I do know that the kids will be the ones to suffer. HS soccer is a great thing for many kids. Is it necessary for elite players to choose between that and development? Should elite players be playing so many games? What is an elite player? These are all really hard questions, but they are at the root of our issues.

It goes back to my #6 comment (no love). A good #6 can get over looked very easily if they were in a room with a bunch of attacking players. Good soccer players that move well off the ball and connect well with their team are always overlooked when in a room with 'star" type players. Does this make them bad soccer players? hell no? These are team first players so I think that maybe they could have made a difference the problem is we don't have many that can play at the international level or at least the clubs think they can't.

hey quick question besides a D1 college coach telling your club coach there is interest is there any other way? The clinic invites are weird most appear to be random by schools that could never have seen your kid play.

Ask your coach if the college w/ the clinic was at any of your child's games? Does your club/team keep a list? Check it.

Otherwise, the school may have picked your child's name off a list based on position re her Got Soccer profile or something else available to all the schools and coaches and put it on a mass mailing list.

We were warned to not spend the money unless there is genuine interest already shown. It was good advice that I am passing along to you.

Yes, we keep a list and the school was on the list. Still doesn't mean there is genuine interest, but I think it might be worth a trip at the very least it comes to about $20 an hour so a little extra training couldn't hurt.

One last question - Is it safe to say if the coach doesn't approach her at the clinic there is no interest?

Saw a kid playing center mid at a recent tournament that plays like a boy. Ponytail and all but ball control really close to feet. Feet so quick weaving in and out of defenders. Also great touch flicking over defenders. Pulling defenses out of shape and backheeling it to open players. The #10 type player that people are saying doesn't exist. I asked my kid who was there to say high to a friend from a camp if she knew the kid. She said yes she used to be really small (not anymore above average height but skinny) and isn't very good. I was wondering what??? But that kid will be worth watching to see if she is ynt worthy. If not I have no idea what they are looking for but it's not a 10.

8:19 I think that's what many posters are saying - I can't speak for them but I agree 100% at that is your problem. That was a kid that never got big minutes on say a PDA/PF/FCV type club - because so many players seek them out that can ball (maybe their ceiling isn't YNT high) but can ball and attract a big D1 school then they can market the player to bring other players in. Nothing wrong here everybody wins - the PDA type club, the better players at that time that they can mold into what we see today very good ROBOTIC soccer players. Because you can't teach the creative part, where this player had it early on imagine she had those minutes early on to make mistakes imagine where she would be today because she has the work ethic proven by your observation, she never quit and had parents in her corner supporting the entire ride. My point is they are out there but by the time they get to that point they were doing it with very little minutes or on a B team until you see the present. Maybe that's what made her, but I just believe these players that develop later are never given a fair shake early on.

Didn't think to ask the coach to reach out 12:03, just thought wouldn't be an option since if there was interest maybe they would have talked but it sounds like the process is a little more complicated or maybe I'm just over thinking this. Thanks for all the input!

I can only speak for myself, but is more that the #10 role does not exist as much as it used to. The other thing I will say is the only skill that matters at a high level are those that are effective. the YNT players that many malign form the WC can almost all do what you are saying this girl can. The question is can you do it vs good competition AND do other things to help your team defensively, in transition etc. A lot of people talk about the YNT process, selection, playing styles etc but I suspect most of it is hearsay and guesswork. If we are honest, just look at ouyr area, the NE - what percentage of the player that you think deserve a chance have been given one? I think its a much higher percentage that we give them credit for. We dont know how well they performed in camps etc, and Im sure that there are kids out there who have been overlooked, but I dont think its as systemic as some would have you believe. You can be a great player and not be on the YNT. It happens.

Exactly- and were the YNT abilities effective this fall? Nope. I saw this kid playing against a top tier ECNL team with I think one or more kid's who have been to national camp. This kid stood out like I haven't seen any other. I thought my kid's statement was compelling that the kid had been small and wasn't very good. Like she also had made a judgement on this kid and wasn't seeing what I was. I think this situation suggests that the ID people miss the late bloomers because it is human to see only what agrees with your preconceived ideas about anything including people and their performances.

1005 I dont think you can compare ECNL play to Intl play. You just cant. I think a top YNT player should be consistently dominant in the ECNL. the Id process is recommendation and confirmation so its on the Clubs to actually respect the Id process instead of using it for other things. it has always surprised me that the Coaches are not more honest in their referrals, especially as time goes on. If a kid is dominating your team year in year out, then dont you owe it to the sport to say so? In my view, all the coaches should get together to discuss the players and recommend them purely on ability. The coaches know who the players are. They really do but often Club and personal loyalty (and $$) get in the way of honest recommendations. In short, its not on the USSF alone. Its on the whole process to find, develop and recommend talented players.In my opinion the ECNL has not done a good job of this. They incentivize Clubs to promote their own even if they know there are better kids at other Clubs.

I like where you are going with that. I agree international competition may be different, but the fact is the kids they picked failed to represent the USA well. I think that allows us to then question the process as you have done and even gone as far as to recommend improvements. I do think their is too much money based on this ID process and protectionism.

An earlier post was seeking information re the Spirit GDA id sessions and if they were well attended, how run, etc. Anyone go? How expensive was this? Thoughts? Was it indoors? And lastly, was this for both the VA & MD spirit academies?

What are the local teams chances at the various Florida tournaments this upcoming week. Due to weather the local ECNL games leading up to Florida were mostly cancelled giving them little time to prepare.

Well, that is one way of looking at it, i guess. Games may have been rescheduled, but surely they practiced. Saw several teams practicing in 20 degree or less weather, boys and girls. These kids are very hearty. Good luck at your various tournaments Region 1 teams.

Penn Fusion blew out FC Bucks as the only teams that played their first ECNL games in December. Although not sure how significant those wins are since Bucks did ok at Bethesda maybe a sign that PF benefitted from the age change. PDA huge surprise loss to Maryland United so they may still be finding their footing with the age change or didn't play their studs as much at CASL. Hence MUSC looking better. Bethesda seems also fairly decent. McLean seems the team to beat having handled most of the competition easily this fall. Continental lose some fairly close games. Matchfit? Albertson looking weak. Eastmeadow looking really weak. Stars and NEFC far better than FC Boston.

Sure that conclusion logically follows. And if you distain this site so much...you are on it posting because...?Good luck to all whose children are playing in Sanford and Disney. I hope your kids get what they want to out of their soccer. There are so many ends to this game our children love, but I hope they all receive some joy from it all.

there is some really interesting discussion here that does not mention Clubs in the "who won" and "who is the best" light. I really enjoy that part of the site. Is that OK for you? The pride I take in the Club is its focus on developing payers and creating a happy, healthy inclusive environment. To me, that is how you get eh best out of kids. I wish we focused more on how to create that and how to give all our kids a chance to love the game and develop. I visit this site for that. I dont hate the site at all, quite the opposite. Its refreshing to realize that there are people out there who seem to care about more than who won last week

I know many of the ECNL coaches and they understand they are at a disadvantage. They prepare as best as they can, and the real goal is league games anyway. This year especially I expect them to play more kids and try to get a feel for the development/level of their players. I expect PDA to be fine and the rest of the teams to underperform score wise.

1113 Disadvantage in what sense? Kids in the NE are largely coming of HS soccer. Should be fit and ready to go. This year you expect them to develop players? Surely that is the goal EVERY year. league games? I guess I see this very different to you. Surely the goal in EVERY game is the same. Give your best effort, improve on your game and enjoy it. If that leads to a win, then great. Under perform score wise? is this really how we define our kids teams? By the score? I hope the kids that are not committed get a chance to show what they can do. hope they get interest from the schools the desire. I hope the ones that are committed enjoy it, play well and above all everyone stays healthy.

I have my eyes open and my ears I would say it's not 100% some kids can't wait to leave practice or leave a game and hate going to practice. I still think a bunch of kids are doing it because mom or dad are happy they are doing it or they think they can get some type of scholarship.

11:13 So are you say in NON-ECNL teams that play NPL, ERL or NL don't care about their league games? So is their advantage roster size? They roster 18 or fewer and play these kids in every game as to where the ECNL teams have to rotate not dressing players? So yes I can see the Non-ECNL players loving the game a bit more than the ECNL players in my example. Soi guess this is a new philosophy for the ECNL teams now develop more players instead of win win win? I don't buy it sorry.

12:04 League games mean players 1-16 other games mean players 1-24 (rotation).

I agree with you. Every time you take the field it's the same practice, scrimmage, league or showcase. The kids know this since they play for the love (most), us gurus on these boards come up with all the crazy scenarios.

1232 Finally a person with their eyes wide open and a realistic outlook. My kid plays ECNL and its all about development in our Club. However the coaches recognize that not all the kids want to put the work in. If you do, then you will be rewarded. However, even with that, all the kids play. do the better ones play a bit more? Yes, but all the kids play at least 30 mins whether league game or showcase. Could we win more games by cutting the rotation? yes. Do we care? No.

If your kid doesn't love it then why don't they love it? If it's the team they are on - not enough PT or not competitive enough or all friends quit soccer or new coach is an a**, it's getting pretty late in their childhood to make a change. I would only have my kid change if she wanted to see if she could love it again under different circumstances. This game costs too much in time and money and requires sacrifice that really dictate that the kid to love it to get the return on that investment. And by ROI I mean in happiness and personal development not soccer scholarship financial return. My kid is an ECNL starter who plays most of the game. But many of her teammates do not play as much and worry about having to sit out a a game at an event because of roster bloat. Their parents are open about how that affects them, but they seem to love the game despite their challenges, and we have the highest respect for them and their families. Not all ECNL teams are cut throat. Some parents and players actually enjoy each other.

Kind of weird to see the roster and Dunn & Morgan with their international teams listed as their clubs. Wonder how many more will go overseas, especially with USWNT starting up? Get your popcorn ready, it should be a very interesting season.

not even close to resolved. NT carries on under current CBA until one side give 60 day notice to termination or they agree. No one has given notice yet. As far as players NT could not be more boring. U-23 roster on the other hand. I see we rewarded some of our triumphant U17 and 20s with call ups to the U23s. SMH. Clueless

Congratulations to all the teams at Disney that did well. All 3 VA teams won their divisions, all 3 MD teams made it to the finals, and 2 of the 4 PA teams won their divisions. Of the 14 Region 1 teams (excluding National League), only 2 didn't make it to the consolation/finals. Nine of the 14 Region 1 teams were in the finals.

Wow. Didn't know. That should change. Surprised other clubs not stepping up and having an NPL event. Part of the reason some kids play NPL is the freedom to compete in other events like Disney, State Cups, etc. Being outcast from an NPL event because you competed in another event that was in existence long before the NPL FL showcase should not be tolerated.

Where do you get your info? If NPL showcase in Florida was a PDA backed event like you say, then why didn't all the PDA NPL teams attend the NPL showcase? Obviously it's not a PDA event. As for the PDA showcase, yes PDA may keep some local teams out for whatever reason, but majority of teams who don't get in is b/c they are not talented enough and don't have a proven schedule. We all know the PDA showcase has become one of the top showcases in the country, if not the top one. I don't agree with who all they accept or non acceptances, but when all said and done, top teams in the country are there for most part.

Jumping in on this blog, I agree with first blogger, PDA is top showcase, just look at the # of Collegiate coaches that attend and the quality of collegiate coaches there last year. My daughter is a senior and been traveling all over the country for showcases and not one had those numbers and quality. Match it up when new list comes out this year. As for fields, they all have mixed quality fields. Did you notice CASL fields this past month, aside from turf fields, others looked beat. Even Bethesda had some junk fields this year. Showcases are about numbers and quality of coaches. That's how I rank them.

2:28 - PDA showcase in late May is an ECNL event which is open to non-ECNL teams too which is wonderful and others should as well.

But, it's no different than any other national ECNL/showcase event as far as numbers and quality of coaches that attend.

The weather last year in NJ was boiling and humid. No one can predict or control that. As a result, the fields were a little slow, high grass and the turf was very hot. Again, can't do anything about the weather. But, it's a good event.

Showcases are another fantastic invention of those that want your money. Lest say they did not exist, what would happen? Would you be any worse off? Showcases are where the better players who would garner interests no matter what pay money to help other kids buy a lottery ticket. The methods by which the Youth soccer business takes money from parents is amazing. They fall for it every time.

The End of the ECNL season PDA showcase is a nice East Coast event, there are probably some west coast and middle America teams that attend as their players are looking for some of the East Coast Schools. As a member of an ECNL team parents are obligated to send their kids to the mandatory number of ECNL events (I believe there is an NPL list as well). Bethesda and CASL are good late fall events as they are located where it still isn't too cold (rain can be an issue) and it gives Seniors a last chance to be seen before the really last chance of Florida. If you are a U18 and not comitted by Bethesda or CASL hopefully these events are attended by your safety schools. So there are reasons why these tournaments/showcases exist. As for the quality of the fields at Disney, think of the pounding they are taking as they are most likely used year round. Relax people and enjoy, this may be your last go-round with your daughters before they head off to college and you may get to see them play via face time, streaming or only a few games a year. Or worst case scenario the last few games they will play.

The NPL Showcase and PDA Showcase affiliation was widely discussed last year on this blog. PDA has every right to select the teams they wish but the number quality teams overlooked last year for lesser ones was very apparent. If you check some off the higher ranked ones that were denied entry last year you can see that clubs that did not send teams to NPL Showcase were conveniently omitted from PDA. Last year the application even noted that teams attending NPL Showcase would can favorable status for PDA.

So a 2000 kid is invited to u23 camp. A kid who was a key part of the failure in Jordan. How does that make sense? The midfield was horrendous and they bring up a midfielder? Do not get these people. They should be looking at new kids very carefully and giving them a real look not just cursory looks after this mess. promoting the kids who were part of the failure is akin to the famous Einstein quote: "insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". This country is way too big to assume the only worthy kids were on the field in Jordan.

1033 I dont see the need to have any U17 kids at U23 camp, but then again the USSF do what they want. there is little rhyme or reason to it. My point would be that no matter how well this kid played (or not) the message you send to the other players is that the failure (if indeed it was) is on you guys. Dangerous message. Would have been better to le them all have some time off to think about itand look at other ladies (coz lets face it they are u23 !!) Then again, most of them were at the Strikers and GK camp anyways. The thing is, the USSF have already decided who is going to be good.Results and performance in games does not matter, its all in the drills and the beep test :)

Why so much disrespect for high school accolades? I have see numerous negative references on this board for All League awwards and All State. I would think the award would be something to be proud of as the voting is across the high school coaches in the league and they have lttle reason to be biased.

For the elites I wonder if it's a case where they can buy little Mia a spot on a team but can't influence an entire league of coaches so they consider their opinion irrelevant.

The past cycle saw some deserving players that are also on the "Teams" to be on, but there were also quite a few names missing. And yes my daughter made the list so that is why I am commenting. It almost proves that $$ and nepotism can win out over hard work sometimes.

The ECNL teams are now far and away better than the non ECNL teams. I was looking on the history sheets for jeff cup competition and saw that after the age change the non ecnl teams have taken a nose dive. I am guessing that most stayed together because their clubs do not field comepetitive teams in each age group and are faring poorly against the older more experienced teams.

Any word on the progression of the GDA? Has anyone heard anything from their Club about what is going on? And, have many Clubs dropped out? So much information and misinformation going around would be great to get info. It was such a hot topic only months ago and now, nothing.

Compelling case? Perhaps. I think more of a financial one. 3 teams with no real ability to charge what you want or 5+ teams and left alone? The ECNL is not a real development model. I dont know if the GDA will be. As a whole, I dont think the ECNL is doing anything about having an environment where the very best players can really develop.

its funny that people honestly believe that MFit had some come to Jesus moment when they realized they had to pull out. The costs of doing both are large and the returns are not immediate. Also Cedar Stars getting it changed the game for them in terms of local, deep pocketed competition. The way MF describe it as a move that they dont need to make to continue to develop players is pretty hilarious as well given that they recruit like crazy. TAke a look at the NT type players they have. Where did they come form? GDA may be good or bad, but MF decisions are based on $$ and nothing else.

Look at the NT players your club has ? And where they come from?For sure NOT your club!All clubs are pretty much the same good coaches, bad coaches , good people , bad people. Good and bad ideas at the end of the day for all it is about $$$ otherwise they wouldn't be doing

What do you mean not from your club? That makes no sense. Most kids play in the little local club for some years before they go to a mega club. How many years should they be at the mega club before the club can "claim" them. Mostly the little clubs didn't do anything great. Dad coaches are the norm in fact. Most coaches never even played. They got good because of the extra time they put in making themselves good. The early club just provided a game day structure. Mega club provided the development on steroids and exposure for usually three-five years.

I heard many differing opinions. Some see id processes going on with some clubs and some haven't heard a thing. At some point, if it's not going to happen this year, it should be made public so people can plan accordingly. Some kids were moving from other clubs to ECNL & NPL spots when kids would be moving up to DA.

Information had been listed here. Taken down. They were having two try outs for girls not in the club in Jan and Feb. I would reach out to find out what is going on if you are interested. Spirit held id sessions in December.

I can't see the value for a 2000 or 2001 to move to a DA team. Most slots at these ages will probably be allotted to the existing club's top players. There may be a few limited openings. Also, any girl that is currently on the radar of a college would need to explain the change and I don't think trying to play the DA is the best league with the best talent is a valid argument in its inaugural year. Trust me college coaches do not want to see a lot of club hopping after u15. Unless it is definitely up and the player is seeing significant playing time on the newest team.

Valid thoughtsIf your daughter is not ECNL, I can see the value of going DA. And if a college coach has been watching, I'd think they'd appreciate your daughter moving into DA levelThere is much up in the air, trueWill the existing top players be given a fair shake/upper hand or will they be easily bumped by outsiders?Coaches can be prima donas

it all comes down to oversight. IF the goal is as stated, to produce and develop NT talent, then petty Club BS should not get in the way. Kids should play at the closest DA Club to their homes. However we all know that this will be no different to the ECNL. The only way they differentiate themselves is to reduce the number of competitive games and really make it about development. But they wont. Tryouts should be almost unnecessary unless we are talking about new players. The coaches and DoCs should already know how is DA ready. Problem is that we are lousy at IDing players because non soccer factors often get in the way. Business factors. I really hope Im wrong, but already I sense ECNL v2.0 as opposed to anything revolutionary.

2:45 - what college would not want to see a kid on their radar playing in a DA? While the first year will be full of hiccups, what league isn't. And, it's not like they are starting with just a novel concept. They have the blueprints already having experience with boys' DA for years and having helped ECNL along for many years, too.

More training and development, less travel so what is the downside exactly?

As the above poster noted, most GDA slots in particular in the older groups will be/may be slated for top existing players in the club. If it's about development and that particular Club helped develop that top existing talent, why wouldn't that club go to a kid they know, developed and like?

Isn't that what this new tier is supposed to do help kids improve and move up the pyramid? If a Club is doing that already, why not keep home grown kids?

Many clubs bump home growns for new kids. They think Ok I understand what my kid's ceiling is. This new kid is about the same as my kid now but came from any other club with clearly lesser development advantage. I may be able to bump her up more than my existing kid. DA is 10 months a lot more influence potentially in development.

Interesting point and makes sense. But isn't that what happens at this age, kids are weeded out based on skill level and soccer iq. No one is bumping a kid that should be going up the tier. Otherwise, that kid (if she is a strong player) just goes to another GDA and then that club gets the credit for her development and success. Not very good business and soccer is a business.

I don't think we are talking about kids who are clearly YNT potential or the top5 kids on the team. I think we are talking more about kids in the bottom third of the team and I believe that the outsider might have the advantage as above there.

I think the best kids from ECNL teams may be moving from ECNL to gda teams. They ussf will likely make a real effort to take kids to ynt camp from das. Most already come from mega clubs where the DA and ECNL will be both present so that decision won't be that impactful to the pools. Heinrichs was clear that most of the scouting will be done at gda events. There is a war on.

Still most kids will be from the mega clubs like PDA and stars of mass. See if there may be a token camp Offered to some of the clubs that hung in while many withdrew. Expect realignment as more pull out and watch the best kids from match for go to cedar stars and from other defectors to oak wood, classics, and spirit. Watch the Bethesda and McLean teams lose their best kids.

7:34 - what other clubs are pulling out from the NE area? I have heard of potential club mergers, but not of others opting out of the DA. As someone previously said, soccer is a business. Why opt out of a business opportunity that was not given to all Clubs? Highly likely, they won't get another bite at that apple.